Our ranch is in the big city this weekend, competing in the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association’s annual Range Round-Up.

This is the twenty-fifth year we’ve competed in this ranch rodeo.

That’s a lot of bruised ribs and sore muscles. And Advil.

We’re having lots of fun! If you live in the Oklahoma City area, you should take a walk on the wild side and come watch tonight. Proceeds of the event benefit the Children’s Miracle Network, and you’ll get see real, live cowboys participate in real-life ranching-related competitions:

I realize this will not appeal to many of the men who might be reading this. But they can tag along with you. Tell them there are hot dogs, pizza, and beer. And those cinnamon-sugar roasted nuts whose aroma never fails to seduce me.

If you happen to attend the event tonight, be sure to tap me on the freckled shoulder and say hi. I’ll be the woman wearing the skinny jeans and the long shirt (to hide my love handles) who’ll be yelling “NO! YOU CAN NOT HAVE ANY MORE MONEY! HOW MANY ORDERS OF FAKE-CHEESE NACHOS CAN YOU POSSIBLY EAT IN ONE NIGHT?” to one of my children.

I’ll be the woman who’s trying to politely tell my baby that he can not buy me any more neckwaces at the vendor booths. He’s already zeroed in on another bwue one, and how is a mother supposed to tell him that he can’t buy it for her? Fortunately, this one is thirty dollars, and my baby doesn’t have thirty dollars, and the only way he’s getting thirty dollars is if I give him thirty dollars, and I want to keep my thirty dollars.

(I’ve gotten a few emails about this, and I wanted to say I’d be very happy to sign my scrawly signature if you happen to have one of my cookbooks in your purse. As long as you don’t mind a little orange cheese on the page…)

Here’s a glimpse of the fun last night.

Here’s Sam, our summertime college-age cowboy. This is the first year Sam has competed on our team, and he started the night by volunteering to ride the bronc.

Then he got two re-rides because the first two were duds.

Sam’s a little sore today.

But he’s in college, so I don’t feel too sorry for him.

Here’s a cowboy from another ranching team, trying to cross the finish line with a glass bottle holding the wild cow’s milk. He totally wiped out just short of the finish line, then—since he was already down there—just crawled really quickly to the finish.

It was cute.

It was funny.

It was inspiring.

I giggled.

Then it was our turn. We missed the first loop, which is always scary since you’re only allowed two throws.

Josh rarely misses.

He wasn’t very happy with himself.

It’s okay, Josh!

Cowboy Tim rode up to throw the second loop…and he made it!

And that’s when my husband, The Silver Fox, moved in.

He likes to show the cows who’s boss.

There was no hidden meaning in that remark, in case you were wondering.

And actually, that cow gave our guys a little bit of a run for their money.

But eventually she held still long enough to give up a little milk.

Gosh, this is one bizarre activity.

I really can’t believe I’m writing about it.

Who am I?

Where am I?

Toto?

Then my brother-in-law Tim ran across the line with the milk.

Here’s a little Wild Cow Milking trivia for you: if, after the cowboy crosses the finish line, he inverts his glass bottle and at least one drop of milk doesn’t pour out, the team gets a zero.

It happened to a team last night, and my heart broke for them. Sometimes they think the milk went in the bottle when it didn’t, but sometimes they inadvertently slosh out the milk as they’re running.

Anyway, it’s a bummer when it happens.

Though I always imagine the wild cow is down on the other side of the arena, chuckling her heart out.

In the middle of the competition, everyone in the building shifts to the edge of their seats…

And watches some of the kids ride the wild donkeys.

For the first time, none of my four children participated in this event. Their mother kept “forgetting” to enter them, and eventually, to their mother’s great pleasure, it was too late.

This added an additional three years to my life.

But my nephew, Tim and Missy’s boy, did great.

It ain’t a party till one of the kids falls off a wild donkey.

I want that engraved on my headstone.

And it definitely ain’t a party till my sweet little niece has a go at it.

It’s her first year.

Oh dear!

And she’s…just fine!

(I have to add that the sight of her triumphantly holding up her arm pretty much made me smile for the rest of the night.)

Next came the Team Penning event, which, in my opinion, is the closest to real-live ranching as any of the other events.

And, when our team does poorly at this event, the one that makes the guys gnash their teeth for weeks.

At the beginning of Team Penning, the announcer calls out a number. In our case, the number was eleven. Our team then has to ride into the herd and sort out the three animals with that number. Last night, the guys peeled off the elevens really quickly.

But I was still on the edge of my seat.

Because then they have to take them down to the end of the arena and get them to walk into a pen.

This is easier said than done. Being patient and taking it easy is the only way to avoid disaster.

And…

They…

Did it!

By the way, notice how Marlboro Man tipped his hat as he rode into the pen?

That’s a longstanding custom here at the ol’ Range Round-up.

Not everyone does it anymore.

But it reminds me of the old days.

Like, the old days of the nineties, when I first started attending Range Round-Ups.

325 Comments and 25 Replies

Hello!
those look soo exciting! I wouldn’t mind going to such event at least once ! :]

btw i have forgotten to tell you, I had a project and I hope you don’t mind me using one of your pictures. more specifically, the mad cow one. The theme was got milk and I had to use that mad cow since it was really funny! You can see it on my link. :]

Ten years ago, if you had told me that I would enjoy living an Oklahoman ranch lifestyle vicariously through a spunky, witty, self-deprecating mom and housewife’s wonderful blog I would have first said, “What’s a blog?” Then I would have gone all cricket in the background . . . blink, blink, blink.

I hope, hope, hope you’ll share what settings you used for your action photos! We were at the Ft. Worth Rodeo last month and I had a heck of a time getting non-blurry action photos…they were close, but still a little fuzzy.

204

City Girl to Country Girl On Sunday, August 29 at 12:01 am

Thanks for writing about the Rodeo! L.A. doesn’t get this kind of thing. It looks like so much fun!!

The picture of your niece holding up her hand is just the best! Thanks so much for so much vicarious fun!

206

BarbbBintheOC On Sunday, August 29 at 12:42 am

Am I the only one that is bothered by your nephew’s toooo big cowboy hat?!?
He’s such a cutie-pie, but every time I see a pic of him wearing that hat … that
comes down over his ears … I want to take up a collection and buy him a new one,
THAT FITS!!! I live in California and have never been to a rodeo … so maybe there
is something about hats that fit like that … that I don’t know about??
What say, country ladies??

207

FFsWife On Sunday, August 29 at 12:45 am

Went tonight, got some pictures of your bunch doing work! Whats the story behind Cowboy Josh’s Angel/Devil boots. Goodness knows I have a thing for boots and noticed his were spiced up a little!

Hi Ree, I’m a fairly new follower of your blog, by way of Joy the Baker and your wonderful Cinnamon Rolls recipe (which I have yet to try!).

I totally adore this post – made me feel like I was there watching the scenes unfold. I love your style of narrative and the photos you take are awesome and crisp. I esp love the photos of the hay-thingie, a couple posts ago I think.

210

Deb W. On Sunday, August 29 at 1:51 am

We went to our local county fair rodeo on Wednesday night. It had been a long time since we had been to one. We took our friend to whom this was a brand new experience. It was great. My granddad used to ride rodeo. I do miss the fun races they used to have like the one when the cowboys had to put all their boots in a pile in the middle. They started out running, had to put their boots on and then grab their horse and ride a lap around the arena. That has been a long time ago.

Thanks, Ree. MM tipping his hat makes me smile as well.I just returned from a fast trip to NE. My mother went into hospice this week, so we went to see her. Getting back home, I needed a little uplifting of my spirits. Your post did that for me. Again, thanks!

Lisa On Sunday, August 29 at 7:56 pm

So very sorry about your mom, having been down that road I can understand a bit of what you are experiencing and simply cannot say enough nice things about hospice.
After many years, I got to this place in my mind and heart. No one ever promised me forever with my mom but at 29 I wasn’t “done” yet. I still miss her every day at some point but 22+years later it’s easier though there are still days that it’s just crappy. Many thoughts are prayers to you and your family at this time.

212

KarenJ On Sunday, August 29 at 6:04 am

How different! Here, in Portugal the “Rancho” is Rancho Foclorico which is where we were Saturday night. A rancho foclorico is a group of dancers who are preserving the local dance traditions from their particular corner of the country and who travel from one region to another as guests of the local rancho to dance in town squares and festivals. Last night’s was a once a year event with dance groups, some amateur, like ours and some professional dance troupes from other countries. Last night it was Russia, Malta, Chile. But over the years they have come from everywhere around the globe, including a group of American hula dancers. The closest we came to Cowboys was a Mexican dance troupe in boots and hats and western shirts. The female dancers, however were pure, gorgeous, embroidered, ful-skirted, flower bedecked Mexican. And then there was the year with the Bulgarians who snake danced through the crowd, picking up half the audience as they went. A very different “Rancho”.

213

linda On Sunday, August 29 at 6:07 am

really enjoyed a bit of insight to rodeo…never been…
thanks.

214

Lydia On Sunday, August 29 at 6:14 am

Thanks for posting this! It was a good way to start off my Sunday morning. I love the photos of the events.

I was a dairy farmer for many years, and you couldn’t GET me to milk a beef cow! Holy Moses those cows had to be mad! LOL

215

Kelly On Sunday, August 29 at 6:20 am

That photo with the cow dragging that cowboy by her tail made me spew coffee on my computer!

216

Tamara M On Sunday, August 29 at 6:56 am

Now that’s my idea of a night out! (had to laugh over Mamma ‘forgetting’ to enter the kidlets though!)

217

Karen On Sunday, August 29 at 7:07 am

Congratulations Drummond Ranch on your win last night!!! Hope to see many more pictures and stories. I really envy you life and fun family times. In the photo where your niece is just starting out on the donkey….your girls and your nephews smiles could not have been bigger, just watching her and being happy for her.

Ree,
I attended the Ashland, Missouri Cattleman’s Day Rodeo last night!
It was my first rodeo ever. I only saw one or two pair of worthy chaps but now that my husband knows I like this I’m sure we can move up to the “well lit” rodeos so I can take pictures!

I would NEVER have thought about going except for your site.
luv ya girl,
Ellen (citymom)

Kelly On Sunday, August 29 at 7:59 am

Hi Ree, Wish I had known this was going on. Hubby and I were at Bricktown and stayed at the Biltmore Hotel in OKC Friday Night. Could have brought my cookbook and had you autograph it, DARN!!!!!! Would have loved meeting you. I live near Enid, Okla. Will look for it next year, maybe we can come.

Looks like everyone did very well! Love the picture of youe niece with her hand up! too sweet!
I can imagine that the milking contest is interesting. Beef cattle don’t generally like being touched down there!

We just went to the rodeo here in our small part of Texas. My brother competes in the ranch rodeo and it is my FAVORITE! Unfortunately they took out the wild cow milking event which I loved the most, I was totally bummed! Your photos are fabulous as always!! They made me miss that event!

226

Paulette Nicholas On Sunday, August 29 at 8:46 am

Ree – Thanks for the pictures, I forgot my camera. Since I was in the next box to your right, they are exactly what I saw. And congratulations to Drummond Land & Cattle for being the 2010 champions. They did a great job!

227

Jeri2455 On Sunday, August 29 at 9:02 am

Dangit! Wish I could be in OKC tonight!

228

Danielle On Sunday, August 29 at 9:26 am

Cowboy Josh sure does look handsome in the background of the picture of your niece riding away on the donkey…

I seldom get a chance to witness a rodeo but love them when I can. Thanks for all the great pictures.
Odie

231

highjumpgirl On Sunday, August 29 at 9:33 am

Omigosh, you had to be so proud! I was almost in tears with pride seeing your family compete, and I don’t even know them! (‘cept from here) Soooo fun seeing family compete at anything, I’ve learned as I watch my guys play basketball…..

That looks like a ton of fun! I attended a few horse shows when I was a kid, they were always fun and exciting, but not quite as big of an event as the show/competitions you go to. Did your team win any of the events?http://www.coralorchid.webs.com

234

Aina On Sunday, August 29 at 10:09 am

I have missed these posts!! Love the pics..so fun! And nice to see Josh too…

235

Ann On Sunday, August 29 at 10:22 am

Please say you didn’t go to The Cheesecake Factory for lettuce wraps. There are about a hundred better places for Thai, Vietnamese, Asian, food than that in the area of N.W. 23rd and Classen like Banana Island, Lido, Lee’s Sandwiches, any number of the Pho Noodle houses and you absolutely must go to Super Cao Nguyen at 22nd and Military for a unique food shopping experience.

236

jill On Sunday, August 29 at 10:33 am

The Wilsall Ranch Rodeo, held in the town of Wilsall,Montana is really a great reflection of the skills that are involved in ranching. Skills which are not limited to just men. The teams are composed of four people, one of which must be a female or a person under 15 years of age.

kxtian On Sunday, August 29 at 10:55 am

What a fantastic Friday Night!
The photos were great.
The words about the Nachos made my mouth water.
Your niece was one brave girl – loved her “I’m okay”
Your Epitaph was histerical.
and your husbands hat tipping charm made me want to cry.
What great weekend fun. Thanks for sharing.

Just my luck…..I was sooo excited when we moved to OKC last winter b/c we would be there for the the fun finally & actually be able to go. But we moved in March to southeast Kansas, so we missed them again! I’m pretty sure we will never make it

240

Sydney On Sunday, August 29 at 11:12 am

That looks like so much fun! I will for sure be there next year! Thanks for the photos and run down of what happened. Hope you guys won the whole event!

241

Firenze On Sunday, August 29 at 11:29 am

Love the pics, can feel the excitement! So who is minding the ranch while all the cowboys are at the rodeo?

Come to the National Western in Denver in January and I’ll be there. Haven’t gone in years, but it’s time to take the boys and show them that Denver is more than the watered down version they know. Plus it’s just darned fun.

Love the photos! Wish I was there to people watch(that’s what I do best)! Also, just a side note, I’m in trouble now with the “hub”, I bought 2 peices (very small pieces)of Fiesta ware yesterday! Thanks for turning me on to the beauty of the pieces!!! LOL!!

250

Manda Bricker On Sunday, August 29 at 2:15 pm

Ree…I need to tell you thank you sooo much for indulging me and signing my cookbook at the Range Round-Up. It just meant the world to me to meet you and get to talk with you for a few minutes. Look forward to many more mornings of enjoying your “confessions” with my coffee…thanks for giving us accidental country girls a voice. I am grateful to know I’m not alone.

251

Lindie On Sunday, August 29 at 2:31 pm

Love rodeos! Kansas City Royal is always great fun!

252

Dee On Sunday, August 29 at 2:37 pm

I want to see what you look like/wear to a rodeo!

253

Kim On Sunday, August 29 at 2:42 pm

Why, oh why, oh why can’t I live closer! This looks like good clean fun–although it certainly has to be more fun if it is your family/ranch competing! I would love to see it, but I would have to hide all evidence of my exuberance from my eldest who is a mad vegetarian PETA member because of those dopey videos out on the web where they show all manner of cruelty to animals. He seems to forget that he grew up eating steak and as recently as May 2009 ordered the 1# ribeye at his brother’s graduation party.

254

Rosanne On Sunday, August 29 at 3:29 pm

So, now I make my poor husband watch rodeos. Watched one out of Ontario last night…for the chaps Ha!! Only one I ever attended was a prison rodeo in Arkansas back in the ’70′s with my cousin. (my mother was mortified) It was great. Especially the greased pig chase.
We are planning to attend one here in Florida just for fun!! My 17 really needs to learn some rope tricks for his part in ‘Oklahoma!” in October….where the HECK am I going to find someone to teach him that????

256

anna On Sunday, August 29 at 4:41 pm

fantastic!

257

R.C. On Sunday, August 29 at 4:43 pm

Congrats to the Drummond Team for winning the Range Round-Up!

258

Amber Watkins On Sunday, August 29 at 4:53 pm

Well, I don’t consider myself a “rodeo girl”… however, my family very famously hosted a 4th of July Rodeo every year for around 80 years… when i was a youngin’ I used to dream of being the best barrel racer in the world, but there are a few problems…. 1. can’t ride a horse 2. when i did what you would call “ride” a horse, i was scared out of my gord when it ran “fast”… aka trotted a little… 3. did i mention i can’t ride a horse??
However, I dated team ropers (state champion heeler as a matter of fact)… have friends that rodeo, have family that rodeo, and have certainly been to my fair share of rodeos… Yes, high heel boots and all (Ree, I seriously think you and I would get along fabulously riding around your ranch in your truck “watching” the action… oh, and i can’t saddle a horse either)… Now, with that said I have never been to a “ranch” rodeo but would love to… Seems very exciting… And yes, I would certainly wear my high heel boots… Always gotta look fashionable… (Rocky Mountains were never my style…)
Now, Ree I must say I am totally jealous… You get to ride around in the truck and stare at HOT, SEXY, DIRTY cowboys all day and snap a few pics… The hats, the wranglers, handling a horse, the brute strength, the muscles, the dirt, the sweat… There is just something about a REAL cowboy… not the kind that we call “goat ropers”… Ree, I have an idea… You need to do a Drummond Ranch Calendar featuring your fabulous cowboys… By the way, Phillip Morris really owes you some money, because they get free advertising with your Marlboro Man… He’s smokin’…
Ok, maybe its sunday afternoon and I am just in a silly mood…

kathyg On Sunday, August 29 at 5:36 pm

My long-time Okie friend’s husband is the events director at the coliseum in the city so I’m sure they attended. It’s a 8 hour drive for me, so you’ll forgive me if I didn’t show.

265

Made In the Shade On Sunday, August 29 at 6:50 pm

I attended the Ranch Rodeo last year for the first time. Loved it and sorry I missed it this year. Congrats to the Drummond Ranch Team!

266

Alyson On Sunday, August 29 at 6:57 pm

Team Penning is my fave thing to watch!! The pics of the kiddo’s on the wild donkeys were great and I know they had a blast. We have “Mutton Bustin” at our local Cattle Call Rodeo. The kids love it

267

lanstine On Sunday, August 29 at 6:58 pm

Ree, I got so excited today because I was at Bass Pro shop, not that I was excited to be there, but I saw your family!!! I wanted to go talk to them, but I wouldn’t know what to say, and you wasn’t with them! Hope you had a great time in OKC, I know we did when we went out last night to celebrate my 21st!

Thank you Ree. This is one of the best posts you have done. I love rodeos. They don’t do them here in Idaho much anymore. They lost too much money. And I miss the rodeo. Your pictures are great. I can smell the dirt, and the hamburgers. Your darling family feels like my family, and I cheer for them. My heart hurt when Josh missed! Dang it! But seriously, thank you. You keep this political over ridden country balanced with stories about the everyday life. I love it. Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your world with us.

269

MK On Sunday, August 29 at 7:21 pm

Man, I love a rodeo ever since my Dad and Grandpa took my brothers and me all those many years ago to the one in Sidney, IA! I remember Jimmy Dean riding out all decked out in white on a beautiful Palimino…

270

Tammy W. On Sunday, August 29 at 7:43 pm

I wanted to take my son to this event but we had a couple of schedule conflicts including a birthday party. I grew up going to rodeos. I think my son would get a big kick out of watching all the action.

271

Nancy Triplett On Sunday, August 29 at 7:59 pm

Ree, love, love, love the pics!! When I was a teenager my friends and I used to go to the rodeo all the time. Keep posting the pics Ree and the stories to go with them, they’re great :)…Nancy

Another Ginny On Sunday, August 29 at 9:06 pm

Congrats to DL&C for the great showing at the Round-up! My family goes, of course, and let me tell ya’ it is some exciting FUN!!!! You guys really have great talent and had some really exciting and lovely moments this weekend:)) That penning on Fri. couldn’t have gone better. Those elevens were just right there and then your boys swooped right in and closed the deal. Wonderful job! And I loved when your sweet little neice hopped right up from her donkey ride with a huge smile and a triumphant wave for the fans!!! Oh! And Tucker’s mom from Broken O’s, he was soooo great on his rides, too! Fun. Fun, fun, fun!

Rachel W. On Sunday, August 29 at 10:13 pm

You know, rodeos aren’t anything that I would have thought in a million billion years I’d be even sort of interested in. If one of my family members called me and I was to tell them that I was going to, reading about, or even thinking of the word rodeo they’d be surprised to say the least. Even so, I absolutely love these posts. I love the pictures, and I love reading about all the events, and I’m always a tiny bit sad to come to the end of one.

280

Cindy On Sunday, August 29 at 10:28 pm

Honey, there is nothing better than broncs and bulls, and calves and wild donkeys and cowboys in wranglers and chaps! Looks like a good time was had by all!

281

Ellen On Sunday, August 29 at 10:36 pm

The milking thing is really weird. How do those dear cows have a let down under the stress- it’s like having to nurse during a riot! Cain’t be natural. I am dying to know the names of your hubby and kids but I understand. What about your brand? Maybe we can get a glimpse of it?

My daughter was there! It was her first time to go to any sort of rodeo-type event. She LOVED every minute of it! I asked her if she saw you and she said, “How would I know who she was?” I reminded her that you’re on the cookbook sitting on the kitchen counter.

Wow, this is so awesome! I went to my first round-up in South Africa, can you believe it! I was learning to ride a horse with a bunch of amazing people from The Cowboy School, they taught us western riding, and I even rode a Cowboy Week with them where we learnt to rope and pen and brand cattle, it was totally fun. The owners of the school worked on ranches in the US and then came home and opened up their own small ranch, and they used to have round-ups for all the school riders. I never entered the competitions, but it was so much fun to watch all the events! Awesome to see the “real deal”!

Farmchick On Monday, August 30 at 5:32 am

Love, love, love ranch rodeos! Waaaay more interesting than the regular rodeos. Thanks for sharing, Ree. And I adore the gentlemanly custom of hat tipping!

288

Helen On Monday, August 30 at 6:04 am

Sometimes i wish this Aussie girl could move with her babies to Oklahoma , loved reading this post .
Thanks for sharing

289

Debbie S. On Monday, August 30 at 8:06 am

Love the nickname “Silver Fox!”

290

Karen On Monday, August 30 at 8:10 am

Love reading about your life. Thanks for sharing!

291

Jessica On Monday, August 30 at 8:36 am

I have to ask…did your husband and the group go to Chisolms on Saturday night? We were leaving about 11:30 and I swear I almost ran into him on my way out. Hope they had a great and safe time!

292

Traci On Monday, August 30 at 8:43 am

Ree, you just aren’t right torturing us with all those chaps and Wranglers!

293

Elly On Monday, August 30 at 8:44 am

I love that your girls were at the chute when their cousin was riding the donkey.
That’s fambly, right thar!

294

Bethany On Monday, August 30 at 9:10 am

We call them Ranch Rodeo’s here in good ole Nebraska, but it’s basically the same thing. We’ve also had minature bull riding, and a junior wild horse race. All of them are fun to watch. They’ve also started to add Ranch Bronc Riding to these. This are the edge of your seat type watching event, especially when it’s some one you know! All in all they are fun to watch.

295

Theresa On Monday, August 30 at 9:19 am

I am a dedicated devotee to your blog…you make prairie life come, well, alive. I have a little blog that I do from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. My life here is fantastic but challenging…interesting but also boring. I love my life here. I love your life there. Which I, think, is also interesting… I think the two are the same thing just different places. You know? One of the biggest things I think we have in common is the whole GWTW thing… I love, love, love Scarlett. When I read your blog about the scene in the library I about peed my pants! I knew every single line!!! and, I’ve never,ever met anyone who knew that scene like you!…besides me! I go around and quote GWTW in every day life, like you know, you should…

Are you aware they are “helping the gowns rise again, at UT? I’m so sending money. It’s for 2014 when the movie has its 75th year anniversary. They are refurbishing some of the gowns from the movie to have on exhibit somewhere.wow, I can’t wait to see where!

Anyway, just wanted you to know how much I love your blog…and maybe if you have any down time, read my blog from KL…particularly funny go back to when I first arrived here,,,Mr. Ken Wife, Keys, Day out…..way back…pretty funny.

So, go forth and prosper on the range…I shall continue to peruse my monkeys and what have you…

bonniebeth On Monday, August 30 at 9:39 am

Laura On Monday, August 30 at 9:40 am

Love it… love it…love it. i want to go next year. maybe you could have some sort of contest and the winners get to go to the rodeo with ya’all. how much fun would that be.
you really should have let your kidos ride them wild donkeys i bet they would have done fine. all the riding they do. great shots thaks for sharing

300

KC from Texas On Monday, August 30 at 9:50 am

Marlboro Man is among the elite few that are confident and brave enough to wear the number 13 & yellow into the arena! I like it!

Find the Pioneer Woman on:

Saturday, April 4: Freezer Fundamentals! While ranch work is going on outside, freezer work is going on inside! I share four more of my favorite freezer basics, which can be made into a whole bunch of different meals.